Alhamdulillah the month of Muharram has commenced and it is a sunnah to keep a fast on the 10th day of this blessed month.
Abu Qatadah narrated that the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: “Fast the Day of Ashura, for indeed I anticipate that Allah will forgive (the sins of) the year before it.”
-Tirmidhi
However, because Jews and, in a previous era, Christians, also fast on this day, it is preferable to keep an additional fast on either the 9th of Muharram or the 11th of Muharram.
Ibn ‘Abbas (Radiallahu Anha) reported that when the Messenger of Allah (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) fasted on the day of ‘Ashura and commanded that it should be observed as a fast, they (his Companions) said to him: Messenger of Allah, it is a day which the Jews and Christians hold in high esteem. Thereupon the Messenger of Allah (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: When the next year comes, God willing, we would observe fast on the 9th But the Messenger of Allah (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) died before the advent of the next year.
-Muslim
The key dates for this year are:
- 9th Muharram – Friday 29th September
- 10th Muharram – Saturday 30th September
- 11th Muharram – Sunday 1st October
Because it is a weekend we should make a greater effort to keep the fast this year.